Manna.

I have been thinking about manna recently. God didn't give the Israelites manna for a year, a month, or even a week. He gave them manna for each day, every single day. He provided for them. He didn't always give them what they wanted, but He always gave them what they needed. It's the same way for us.

Yesterday morning, I woke up thinking that I was going to spend the whole day at home doing school and just helping my mom. But God dropped two jobs in my lap and I spent most of the day away from home. I felt so blessed. Yes, one of those jobs included cleaning somebody else's toilet, but ya know what? I didn't mind.

Some days the manna comes in the form of grace, peace, or an extra job. But the point is, it always comes. I don't think it ever looks the way we think it will, but that is part of the beauty of it.

What kind of manna has the Lord been sending your way?

every brunette needs a blonde best friend

Today I had coffee with one of the most amazing people ever. Rebekah (not me, the other one) is one of the most beautiful people I know. Inside and out. Whenever I am around her, I feel like everything is right again in the world. She makes the sun shine even when it is raining. She makes me feel so special. And loved. She is a really caring person. And not in that sicky-sweet way. Oh, and did I mention that she is gorgeous??

We had so much fun. We giggled. We almost cried. We laughed. We were solemn. It was amazing. I came away feeling like everything was right in my world once again. She is so good for me. (I love you my dear friend!!) She's a fruitloop in a world full of cheerios. And I am a better person for knowing her!

Deck the Halls.

I decided today would be a good day to put up a few Christmas decorations. So with Christmas music turned up high, I began. 

Aren't you impressed with this box?

Wait. This is supposed to go all together? 

I am ashamed to admit how long it actually took me to get to this point. But somebody (cough cough Gramps) didn't leave the instructions in the box. 

Making progress. I think. 

What is that?!??

Much better. It actually resembles a tree. Imagine that. 

First ornament on. 

Second ornament on. 

   Pretty well put together. Now I just need to add some presents under it. Oh. And some more ornaments.  

 This set was made by my Great-Grandma Straw. And it was given to me by my grandparents. Pretty special if you ask me. 

Okay. Now I am off to find some more random decorations to put up. Or maybe I will clean up my room. Hmmm. I think I vote for more decorations. Have a nice day everybody. And to help you with that, I will leave you with a song. A beautiful song. Enjoy. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIdnYAkqSes

Havin' fun with my dog.

Happiness. 

Let my dog play in water, and she will love you forever. 

Those eyes can get me to do just about anything. 

I love this picture. 

"Stop with the pictures already! I wanna play!!"

My dog is gorgeous. End of story. 

25 things I am thankful for.

These are not necessarily in order, and I am actually thankfully for approx. 1,328,965 other things. But it would take to much time and space to list them all, so I have limited it to 25. 

1) My Dad's sense of humor.

2) Matt's laugh.

3) The smell of horses.

4) Gramps's hugs.

5) All the knowledge my Mom has about healthy food. 

6) My dog's eyes. 

7) Grandpa's chuckle.

8) The way Theresa is so honest with me all the time. 

9) The way Grammy whistles and hums.

10) Mushroom hunting with Grandma.

11) Stars.

12) The way Jessica is always happy.

13) How ticklish Jennifer is.

14) Watching girly movies with Sessha.

15) Rainbows.
16) Rebekah's back rubs.
17) Coffee.
18) Veterans.
19) How geeky Kevin is (even if I do make fun of it).
20) Chocolate.
21) A God who loves me enough to have died for me.
22) Long summer days.
23) Laughter.
24) My (honorary) nephew and niece.
25) Newborn calves.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody. 

Pet Peeves

I have quite a few pet peeves, but I think my biggest one is when people say things like "you shouldn't say that cause we're at church!". Or, "don't do that cause we're at youth group!". Because of course that is the only place that God ever sees us or hears us. At a church related event. (in cause you didn't catch it, that was sarcasm) Which brings us to a whole different conversation that I won't go into right now. (what is church?)

Do people really believe that God only sees us when we are at the building referred to as church? Are people trying to put on an act to make it seem like they are walking a Christian life? Are they not wanting to shock God (can you shock God?) by saying a swear word in church? Or are they not wanting to shock the people around them? What goes through their minds when they make comments like these? Does this bother other people, or am I the only one?

What is fitness?

 Is fitness running 5 miles?

Is fitness being able to do 50 push-ups in one setting?

Is fitness always eating clean and never splurging?

Is fitness an idol?

I think it can be. I know sometimes it is for me. I think to myself "man, if I loose 10 pounds, I would be so happy!" or "when I'm able to do 5 pullups, I will be in such great shape!" I make the excuse of the verse that says "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I act like this verse gives me full rights to just go crazy and try to be perfect.

Don't get me wrong. I am in complete agreement with this verse (good thing too, since its from the Bible!), but I think that sometimes I take it to far and therefore make fitness an idol. And when working out and eating clean take higher priority over my relationship with God, I know I have a problem.

I think being fit means finding a balance. A balance between eating clean, and still eating that ice cream. A balance between working out, but maybe not spending an hour on it. Maybe being fit means doing some squats while waiting for the tea water to boil or your toast to pop up. Maybe being fit means doing calf raises while brushing your teeth or talking to someone. Maybe being fit is allowing for a little bit of failure.

What does being fit mean for you?

Rainbows.

I read something the other day that made me stop and think. "Rainbows are made out of sun and rain." (Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot) In my opinion, rainbows are the most beautiful thing in the world. Since I was little, they have enthralled me. But I have never stopped to think about the fact that they wouldn't be there unless there was rain.

I have experienced some rain in my life. Rain comes in so many different forms. To some people, my rain may seem like a light drizzle. But the truth of the matter is, when you are in the storm, to you it feels like a tornado no matter what.  There have been so many times that I have wished the rain would just pass me by. That the sunshine would just come to stay. But if there was no rain, how would there be a rainbow?

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.